An update from your local Community Partnerships Rangers

We are just over halfway through the 2024 planting season. Groups of enthusiastic volunteers, including lots of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people), have come together mostly on weekends to plant. The volunteers, assisted by Council and the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network, among other organisations, have planted thousands of native trees, shrubs and grasses along the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River and within our community parks. There are still more planting days to come, with mulching and maintenance of these areas undertaken by volunteers year-round.

The plantings are part of a wider approach to restoring the health of our urban places, including life within and alongside the awa (river). By establishing areas of native bush, we provide food and habitat for birds, improve water quality and provide shade for river life to flourish. We also give recognition to our cultural heritage and create places for more people to enjoy.

But there’s more to it than this. Tamariki burst with pride as they show you trees they planted the previous year and how much they’ve grown. Community connections are made, and hope is given to achieving a better environmental future, one that supports biodiversity and restores ecosystems. By working together, we can achieve big things.

We understand that in some of our parks and riverside areas this has meant change, and with it concerns have been raised about the visibility of the awa and the safety of people within these parks. Careful consideration is given to the location and extent of plantings, and where river views should be retained.

The density of planting is purposeful, to encourage greater biodiversity, to restrict weeds and allow the strongest plants to flourish, as happens in natural habitats. This will also mean more change over time. Trees will grow up and form a canopy, allowing views between the trunks below, while new plants establish within this sheltered environment, further encouraging insects and birds.

Council is working to ensure balance is achieved between the urban environment and that which will provide a healthier and more sustainable future, based on the Ōtautahi Christchurch Urban Forest Plan 2023.

If you would like to take part in an upcoming working bee run by our volunteer groups, along the awa or in a nearby reserve, details are below. Bring a spade and gloves (recommended).

Location	Time & Date	Activities
Cashmere View Reserve (located between Fairview and Cashmere View Street)	1.30pm, Sunday 11 August	Planting and mulching
Nature Play Hansens Park (near the Hansens Park playground).	1.00pm, Saturday 17 August	Planting and mulching
Ernle Clarke Reserve (meet at the Studholme Street Bridge)	3.00pm, Saturday 31 August	Planting and mulching
Rydal Reserve	2.00pm, Saturday 31 August	Planting and mulching

If you would like to volunteer or take part in regular working bees:

• visit Get involved – Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network (ohrn.nz)
• visit Council's Get involved with parks webpage